Reading the South China Morning Post
I decided to pick up the May 3, 2008 copy of one of the English papers in Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post. South China Morning Post was established in 1903 and is “Hong Kong’s only officially audited English-language newspaper”. I’m not particularly sure what that means.
In general, the text is much larger and less compact than, let’s say, The Globe and Mail. I suppose that’s because there isn’t a lot of English contributors available in the city. It has as many sections as the Globe, although there is a “City” section similar to the local section in the Star and a notable “Education” section which seems to include parts of the Arts section. The classified portion of the paper spans four sections.
The front page news today was obviously the Olympic Run. Most of the news covered the Olympic Run which just happened yesterday. It reports that the Olympic Run was a “defining moment for Hong Kong…[which] dispelled lingering doubts about the patriotism of our people but also … confirmed Hong Kong’s status as a liberal part of China where views of all kinds can be aired.” It also mentioned that some protestors were “regrettably” refused entry into Hong Kong; however, many other protestors were allowed to demonstrate right on the route without arrest. Overall, the front page states that the run “showcased Hong Kong’s unity with the rest of China- and reminded us of freedoms that make this city so special.”
Olympic coverage spans from A2-A4, with the headline “Future if patriotism fanned with flags, cheers and some jeers”. It included excerpts of the speech made by Chief Executive Donald Tsang: “We are a world in a city, where different people with different beliefs and different views have thrived in the spirit of diversity, tolerance, and respect. This same spirit feeds the Olympic flame and makes it burn brightly.” The accompanying page noted, however, that not all voices were heard. Page A3 stated that “police have been accused of suppressing the freedom to demonstrate” as several Cantonese university student protestors were removed by police as a means of “protecting” them from scuffles with Putonghua crowds. Dozens of Hong Kong activists from the Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China were blocked from demonstrating by Mainland visitors who called them “traitors” and “running dogs”. These actions were renounced by Hong Kong newspaper editors and owners as “damaging the city’s reputation as the most open and advanced part of China”. Some people attempted to throw water on the flame. Some people hung banners saying “Release Hu Jia” (an activist). There was a mention of Mia Farrow came to Hong Kong to publicize the plight of Dafur. There are mentions of the Dalai envoy. A whole page is dedicated to Chinese-Japanese relations.
The back section of Section A contains all the opinion pieces. Greg Torode renounced the attacks of Chinese protestors in Seoul, Stephen Vines laments the lack of diverse viewpoints in the torch race, Dr Rosanna Wong encourages Olympic watchers to celebrate the achievement of female athletes, Albert Chang quotes Confucius and states that in terms of the Mia Farrow affair, in order to pursue an ideal life, one should first first start with self perfection then fulfilling family responsibilities, then manage state-affairs, then finally manage world affairs and Wong How Man calls for preservation of cultural landmarks as China industrializes. An editorial cartoon satorialize the lack of pro-democratic movement during the torch run. The back page discusses the merits of blogging as a form of dispersing information in Japan and the Paralympics movement in Beijing.
